Milton Keynes Dons

The Surrey based referee is in his seventh season as a Football League official, having made his back in August 2007 when Hereford United beat Barnet 2-1. Ward’s second Football League appointment was the Dons’ 3-0 victory over Shrewsbury Town a week later.

Including that victory over the Shrews, Ward has overseen a total of 10 matches involving the Dons and during that time the 34-year-old has brandished 36 yellow cards and one red card. The solitary sending off came in the Dons’ 3-2 defeat to Carlisle United back in November 2009 when Cumbrians midfielder Tom Taiwo picked up his second booking.

Games in which Ward has taken charge of the Dons include the FA Cup trip to Stevenage in 2010, the 6-2 thrashing of Chesterfield in 2011 and the 3-3 draw with Brentford that same season. On five occasions, Ward has shown four yellow cards in games involving the Dons.

This season, Ward has officiated 13 games, including five Sky Bet League 1 clashes. Ward has booked 36 players already this season as well as giving four players their marching orders.

Ward’s last appointment was this past weekend’s Championship battle between Huddersfield Town and Birmingham City. Ward was forced to send off Blues goalscorer Kyle Bartley in that game, after his over-the-top celebration was deemed worthy of a second booking.

The full list of officials for Saturday is as follows:

Referee: Gavin Ward (Surrey)

Assistant Referees: Stephen Daly (Middlesex) and Ollie Yates (Staffordshire)

Nick Hobbis (West Midlands)Fourth Official: